Am I Eligible for Social Security Disability?
You might qualify for Social Security Disability if you have physical and/or mental impairment(s) that have forced you to stop work or greatly reduce your hours. Your medical condition must be expected to last 12 months or more. If you meet these criteria, Disability Advisors can help you apply for Social Security’s disability benefits, even if your goal is to return to work.
If you applied on your own and were DENIED, contact us today! It is always best to start with us, but we can help at any time in the process.
Determine Technical and Medical Eligibility Prior to Filing a Claim
Determining technical and medical eligibility prior to filing a claim for disability is essential. Social Security Disability Advisors has helped thousands of claimants receive SSDI and SSI benefits. Contact us today to schedule a free disability consultation.
TECHNICAL ELIGIBILITY
In order to qualify for Social Security Disability benefits, you must have earned enough “credits.” While working, people pay Social Security taxes. These taxes amount to “credits” that qualify people to receive benefits if they become disabled.
Social Security work credits are based on total yearly wages. They are also based on reported self-employment income. People can earn as much as four credits per year while working.
There is no single number of credits for everyone to qualify for disability benefits. This is because the number of work credits needed to qualify for disability benefits depends on the age in which a person becomes disabled. In general terms, people need to have 40 credits, and to have earned 20 of those credits in the immediate 10 years before they became disabled. However, some young workers may qualify for disability benefits with fewer credits.
If you have not worked in the past few years, or, if you have contacted the Social Security Administration and do not have enough work credits to qualify, don’t give up! You may qualify for Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Contact Disability Advisors for details at 800-249-7507.
Medical Eligibility
Medical evidence is the foundation of the disability determination under Social Security Disability programs. It is essential for claimants to thoroughly document their health conditions with medical records, demonstrating how these impair their ability to maintain employment. Conditions must meet the severity and duration criteria outlined by the Social Security Administration (SSA). Claimants who provide SSA with timely, accurate, and complete information and evidence can help accelerate the processing of their claims.
SSA, with the claimant’s permission, will help the claimant get medical evidence from his or her own medical sources who have evaluated, examined, or treated the claimant for his or her impairment(s). SSA also requests copies of medical evidence from hospitals, clinics, or other health facilities when appropriate.
By law, SSA needs specific medical evidence to establish that a claimant has an impairment. SSA regulations require “objective medical evidence” from an “acceptable medical source” to establish that a claimant has a medically determinable impairment. The regulations define these terms.
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Social Security Administration’s FIVE-STEP Disability Assessment:
1. Are you working?
If you are working and your earnings average $1,620 or more per month, the Social Security Administration (SSA) generally will not consider you disabled. If you are not working, or earning less than $1,620 per month, SSA will look at your medical conditions.
2. Are your physical and/or mental medical condition severe enough?
Your medical condition must be severe enough to significantly limit your ability to do basic work activities for at least one year. This could include the ability to walk, stand, and sit along with the ability to use your arms and hands. Concentration and your ability to get along with others are considered.
3. Is your medical condition listed on Social Security’s List of Impairments?
SSA has a “List of Impairments” that are automatically defined by law as severe. If symptoms and limitations “meet” or “equal” SSA guideline, disability is granted. If a medical condition is listed but limitations are not met or equaled, SSA will consider other factors to determine eligibility.
4. Can you do the work you did before the disability?
Social Security considers if you are able to do work that you have done in the past despite your limitations. If so, you will not be granted disability benefits. However, only the type of work you have performed in the last five years is considered past work. If you cannot perform the same type of work, SSA will look at the final step. If one has reached the age of 50, 55 or 60 and cannot perform past work, SSA may grant you disability.
5. Can you perform any other type of work?
If you cannot do the work you did in the past, SSA will evaluate other types of work. Criteria will include medical condition, age, education, and past work skills. If you are capable of working one of these jobs, then Social Security will determine that you are not qualified to receive disability benefits.
If you have questions about the Social Security Administration’s criteria for eligibility, contact us today.
We offer free consultations and expertise.
What Is the Listing of Impairments?
The SSA Listing of Impairments, also referred to as the Blue Book, contains a listing of medical conditions and illnesses that the SSA considers serious enough to be disabling. It can be found on the Administration's website.
The Blue Book divides impairments into Listing of Impairments for Adults and Listing of Impairments for Children. The Blue Book is divided into sections for each major area of the body and outlines illnesses and medical conditions that may be disabling. Besides providing a rundown of health concerns, the Blue Book contains impairment overviews, general information, and evidentiary requirements.
The Listing of Impairments contains many medical conditions, illnesses, and injuries. It's frequently updated by the SSA. Some of the impairments include:
- Musculoskeletal conditions, such as back problems
- Respiratory illnesses, such as COPD and severe asthma
- Chronic heart failure
- Vision and hearing loss
- Neurological conditions, like multiple sclerosis and Parkinson’s disease
- Affective disorders, including depression and bipolar disorder
- Kidney disease
- Cancer
In addition to SSA’s Listing of Impairments, SSA has also established rules for conditions that might not be found in their impairment list. Conditions such as Fibromyalgia, Primary Headache Syndrome and other medical conditions have specific guidelines that, if met, can lead to favorable decisions.
Our network of legal representatives successfully represents claimants throughout the nation.
Call us at 800-249-7507 to schedule a free evaluation and start working on your Social Security Disability case.
